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SkySafari 6 Pro + SkyFi + iOS + LX200 = Connection Failure (Answer: Update To Latest Version Of SS6 Pro)

Hi I have an original SkyFi which works perfectly with my iPad 10.5" iPad running Skysafari Pro 6 and a Mead LX200. I just updated my iPad to the brand new 11" and restored it from My iPad 10.5" Both iPads are running the latest iOS. Everything else works as it should, all settings have migrated across perfectly. The new ipad joins to the SkyFi Wifi network, but it will not connect to Skysafari Pro 6. I have checked all the settings, they are the same as the iPad 10.5" and it still works perfectly with Skysafari and the Meade LX 200. I just can not get the new iPad to work with this set up. Looking forward to what you think.
Thanks

18 comments

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    Ros Hartigan

    Thanks for the feedback!  Can you tell us what version of SkySafariPro you have installed? (Help/scroll to the bottom to find the version).

     

    -Ros

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    Shanerobo

    Hi, it is version 6.8.4.1

    I feel the problem is between the new ipad and the Skyfi as an IP address of 69.254.41.45 is being assigned on wifi connection instead of 10.0.0.1 so I can not access the Skyfi settings page through SkySafari or through a browser. I have tried, Resetting the SkyFi with the pin multiple time, restarting the iPad, forgetting the Skyfi WiFi network and reconnecting. It will not assign the correct IP address. I have tried manually setting an IP address of 10.0.0.1 and the correct Subnet Mask, but can make no connection to the Skyfi Settings Page. I have repeated everything in all sorts of different orders but never does the right IP address comes up. Remember with the other iPad (a couple of years old iPad 10.5"), the same SkyFi Device and the same SkySafari version 6.8.4.1  I can access the SkyFi Settings Page both in app and through browser and it connects with my telescope flawlessly. Because I can access the SkyFi settings this way I have tried multiple steps like creating an Ad Hoc Network with a WEP key, changed the Network name, fiddled with different channels...... but no matter what I try the brand new 11" iPad running iOS 14.6 will not work with the Skyfi even though it thinks it is connected to its Wifi, its just assigning the wrong IP address for it to function.

    Just to note I have had no other trouble with WiFi connections with the new iPad just this Skyfi issue. Also I have obviously allowed SkySafari to Access "Local Network" in settings.

    I just want to know if I purchased a new SkyFi 3 would there be a chance of it working or do you think there is a hardware problem here between SkyFi WiFi and new Apple iPad's WiFi?

     

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    Keiron Smith

    Thanks for all the details.  Importantly, is this issue you are encountering now using a SkyFi 3 or the previous SkyFi (requires AA batteries)?

    If the latter, then yes, you should upgrade to SkyFi 3.

    Thanks!

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    Shanerobo

    Hi, yes I mentioned it was an original Skyfi, it does have the AA batteries. So to confirm, the newer Skyfi 3 uses a different Wifi Configuration than the original Skyfi??  I certainly don't want to buy this and be in the same position I am at the moment. Seems strange that the original SkyFi works fine with my 10.5" iPad but not the 11" iPad. So I am happy to buy the new SkyFi 3 but can someone at least let me know what they think is going on here and confirm SkyFi 3 has a different WiFi Configuration to assure me that buying another SkyFi should be the answer to fix this issue. Thanks.

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    Shanerobo

    Anyone?

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    Keiron Smith

    The latest release of SS6 may provide the fix for this issue.  Please update SS6 and try again.

    Thanks!

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    Shanerobo

    Thanks, I appreciate the attempted help but as mentioned in the title and the correspondence above I am already running SS6  (SkySafari Pro 6.8.4.1)

     

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    Shanerobo

    Come on guys, I have being buying all your products from early days os Starry Night Pro Plus and still pay to update as new versions come out let alone all this Skysafari stuff. Is there somewhere else I might get better support with your company? The last few responses show that no one is even reading the problem through properly. Like I said I am happy to spend more money on a new Skyfi but can someone at least let me know what they think is going on here and confirm SkyFi 3 has a different WiFi Configuration to assure me that buying another SkyFi should be the answer to fix this issue.

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    Chris

    As Keiron said, you might try upgrading to the newest version, SS 6.8.5.2 and see if that fixes your problem. Hopefully that release fixes everything. Good luck!

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    Shanerobo

    Ok thanks Chris, I will give it a go but at the time of that response SS 6.8.5.1 was the latest version. I do understand if there is an issue the first thing you do is check you are running the latest version, which I did. I will let you know how it goes.

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    Shanerobo

    Ok, my iPad is set to auto update apps and I am running the latest version of SkySafari 6 Pro, version 6.8.5.2   As I have detailed throughout this post I can make a wifi connection with SkyFi but SkySafari will not connect to the telescope using my new 11" iPad. My old 10.5" iPad works just fine so we know all the components work. Please can you have a quick look back over this post before commenting. Thank you.

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    Shanerobo

    Hi everyone, is there going to be anyway we can get to the bottom of this?

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    Cstarks

    Just a wild stab in the dark, but have you considered uninstalling SkySafari from your 10.5” iPad and your 11” iPad, then installing SkySafari only on your 11” iPad to see if it will then assign the correct IP address with the 11” iPad? 
    Good luck, regardless. 

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    Keiron Smith

    Shane,

    Please provide a screen shot of this "...Skyfi as an IP address of 69.254.41.45"

    Also, as initially recommended, you should upgrade to SkyFi 3.

    If SkyFi 3 does not work with your new iPad you can return it. 

    SkyFi 2 is no longer supported.  These are very old now.

    Thanks! 

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    Shanerobo

    This is the screen shot from the iPad 11" as you requested, it assigns random addresses, never 10.0.0.1 or 2. The Skyfi does assign the correct address of 10.0.0.2 on the 10.5" iPad so this is where the problem must be. I have been reading up on the differences in Wifi between the SkyFi 2 and SkyFi 3 and I couldn't see where there are any differences which is why I hadn't yet forked out the extra money to replace this one, I wasn't sure it would fix the problem. Having to replace a SkiFi that works on iPad models up to but not including the current iPad seems a strange problem to have and at $300 Australian is why I was hoping we could work it through. But If you all agree that a new Skyfi should fix the problem I will bite the bullet.

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    Steenkh

    I do not have any help to offer, but I’ll just note that the address 169.254.*.* is not a random address, but a so-called link-local address in the Automatic Private IP Addressing range that is assigned when no address has been assigned in any other way. A link-local address is usually useless, as you have found out.

    There is probably no DHCP server built into the SkyFi 2 to hand out automatic addresses, because it really only deals with a single other unit, so I expect that the addresses in the 10.* range that are supposed to be given to your iPad and the SkyFi itself are hardwired. Why this should work when connected to one iPad and not to another is beyond me.

    As I said, I have no help to offer, but I would also recommend that you buy the newer SkyFi 3. You may have the same problem as before, but it is within the warranty, and you will get qualified help.

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    Dave Chapman

    My original SkiFi stopped communicating with my telescope several months ago (not sure when) and now I’m reading that it may not be “supported” because it’s “old.” As a loyal SS user I am very disappointed.

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    Keiron Smith

    Dave, 

    Matt will reply on the other thread.  

    Thanks for your understanding.

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